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Fans and experts hoped for a final in Japan and Australia at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It seemed like a logical choice: two teams at a good level, players from all over the world, consistent appearances and World Cup appearances.
However, what we have in front of Sunday’s final is a true story, a clash between David-Goliath, where a decorated Chinese PR, one of the most successful teams in the history of the tournament, takes on an unknown South Korean outfit for major honors.
FORWARD – AFC WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP FINAL
He doesn’t lose the seriousness of the task for the coach, who has been coaching the Taegeu Ladies since 2019 and China has made his way before. The Koreans lost to the Steel Roses team in overtime in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics playoffs, and in many ways the heart that has ignited the flame of this team’s intentions.
“The girls are fit enough to go on penalties for 120 minutes, if necessary,” added Colin Bell, who said it was difficult to pass on the similarities between the two cases by chance.
‘Ready for China’
China is unbeaten in the last seven women’s internationals against the Republic of Korea (V5 D2 – including a tie in overtime) and the two teams that won 2-1 in the last time they played against each other in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (Third Place Round 2014). . Bell raised concerns about the pressure of these resting statistics.
“Worried? Maybe for China. It’s time to dump her and move on. We are ready for China and we will give them a good game. If we continue with these statistics, we should not be in this tournament at all, ”he added.
The war cry is as soft as it comes, but Bell and his Korean side are in business. Their plan has never been everyday, it has always been focused on the big vision. This trip has not been challenging as the COVID-19 pandemic has been added to the obstacle course.
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“2020. the year was very difficult for everyone in the world and we could only play two games. That was a setback. But that has now changed. The girls are very talented and my main goal has been to reach a different physical condition and a higher level of confidence. They have to believe in themselves and believe that they can move forward in the championships and reach the finals. It’s the first time and it underscores the confidence and confidence we have in our girls as coaches. I don’t have to show Ji (So-yun) how to play football, but we can increase his confidence level and tactical flexibility to change and adapt to the team now, ”Bell said.
Having played around 11 games in recent months has helped a team that has barely had time to play before qualifying for the Olympics. He has struggled with a broken heart and this unit changed its goals for a long time, putting him in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is special, of course, but I would put the Asian Cup and the World Cup on top of that, because these are football tournaments and I’m a footballer,” he added.
‘Disappointment’
For Ji, South Korea’s top scorer and brightest attack prospect (so far four goals in the tournament), this is an opportunity to inspire him as well as give COVID-19 a bit of joy to a country of healing.
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“It took me 17 years to reach the finals of an international tournament in my career. Words cannot describe the despair of me and my players. You’ll see in the match, ”the Chelsea midfielder said.
“I hope our performances bring joy to the people of South Korea. I hope that our achievements will give young Korean girls confidence that they will not give up hope of becoming footballers, ”she added.
The 2022 edition of the tournament offers the last chance to surprise and hopes that South Korea will embrace it with open arms, as what is at stake is not just a silver bowl, a chance to build a huge reputation for itself worldwide. .
“It simply came to our notice then [final] it proves to the girls that they can overcome strong teams with discipline and hard work and that is exactly what we are going for at the World Cup. Our first goal, of course, is to get out of the group stages and into the next stages. We want to be able to get into the World Cup, taking South Korea seriously as a capable and competitive team that can win titles, ”Bell concluded.
South Korea will host China in the final at 16:30 IST on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
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